Eli Perry does Grand Illusion (8c+)

Eli Perry, who did his first 7C in 2022, has done Grand Illusion (8C+) in Little Cottonwood.

Can you tell us more about your ascent?
I first tried the stand start of this climb, Euro Roof, in spring of 2023, every shoulder season I would put more time into this boulder working my way down from each start. Every season I came back I felt a bit stronger and made some good progression. This spring I was able to climb on it pretty early in the season because some of my homies, Brian and Jackson, dug it out. Always just had the best time up at the boulder, all the moves a really fun and always had a good crew, it was also very convenient with how close it is to my house.

How can you best explain your extreme progress the last years?
Not really sure how to best explain it but I just got very hooked on climbing and started going out as much as possible, I think a big reason why I’ve progressed quickly is because of how many days I’m willing to put into a boulder. Very soon after I started really getting into climbing I would put between 8-13 sessions on a project, which soon evolved into putting in 30-50 sessions to get a boulder done. I feel like this has definitely helped me learn how to solve moves and use a lot of different tactics to get up the wall rather than just strength. I also owe a big part of it to the boards, pretty much anytime I’m not projecting a climb I am on the boards.

What is next?
I just checked out the low moves on the Sosa roof V16 [8C+] and got pretty psyched on that one, hoping I can T it up this spring for the fall. Other than that I am going to be in Rocklands this summer so I’m psyched to get on a bunch of different blocs out there!